Thinking about the past success of this Blackhawks team, thinking about what Joel Quenneville is doing at this very second and thinking about what's to come in Chicago in the near future.

Coaching changes usually boost a team's spirit and they go on a bit of a run. Looking no further than Edmonton's change bringing in Ken Hitchcock who's coached his way to a 4-2-1 record in the last 7 games.

Justin- I have been a longtime listener to Spittin Chiclets, and it does seem strange that Stan chose to go onto this type of podcast. They have never interviewed a GM before, and Stan is the first one they get? Seems like a calculated move, but that being said, I enjoyed listening to his stories and thought he came across OK (and as expected).

Thinking about the past success of this Blackhawks team, thinking about what Joel Quenneville is doing at this very second and thinking about what's to come in Chicago in the near future.

Coaching changes usually boost a team's spirit and they go on a bit of a run. Looking no further than Edmonton's change bringing in Ken Hitchcock who's coached his way to a 4-2-1 record in the last 7 games.- Justin Lowe

Another great blog Justin.

Stan Bowman and McD both need to go and start the rebuild with the proper people pulling on the reigns.

They need to move out Anisomov, Manning, and Gus at the deadline to free up some much need cap space for the summer.

I wouldn't be against trading a core player or two also.

This team and each player need an identity or role going forward for this to turn around in a year or two.

Signing a bunch of UFA's isn't going to turn this team around, but signing a guy like Stone will certainly help the young guys going forward.

Thinking about the past success of this Blackhawks team, thinking about what Joel Quenneville is doing at this very second and thinking about what's to come in Chicago in the near future.

Coaching changes usually boost a team's spirit and they go on a bit of a run. Looking no further than Edmonton's change bringing in Ken Hitchcock who's coached his way to a 4-2-1 record in the last 7 games.- Justin Lowe

Great blog, JL. I, like most fans as well, am trying to figure out what this team is doing and where this team is going (long term.) There doesn't seem to be a plan, or at least one that is adhered to. As weird as Bowman's appearances are, calculated is the perfect word. Bowman going on that podcast was like Clinton going on Between 2 Ferns, from an interviewee's standpoint. I wonder what is being said behind the scenes. Are things really crazy with the core, as we are told, "Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain."

Justin this was a great piece you wrote , and how you summed everything up with a bow neatly.

We all as fans agree that this team is awful and until Rocky grows a pair and removes the 2 headed monster, nothing will change and the chemistry and culture along with the brand, team and fan base will suffer.

It's clear they have lost a significant amount of fans by all the empty seats at the UC. If that doesn't convince Rocky that people are no longer interested and very dissatisfied with the team.

Stan told a reporter he is going all in on PANARIN this summer , I think it was more of a PR speech then any actual plan. If you look over the past 2 off seasons at minimal Stan makes bold statements yet his signings are low hanging fruit of bottom feeders followed up with statements we tried things didn't work out the way we hoped and we chose a different route and this was a great signing.

The hawks need a number 1 center and 2 proven top 6 wingers , if Stan can move out Keith and Seabrook along with Gus and manning , as well as anisomov that will allow them to not only be able to resign guys like Perlini and d cat but to bring up at least 4 young faster promising defenseman and improve this teams, speed , skill and chemistry and compete,

Carried over from the last blog. Thank you, AEL, for pointing out the teddy bear charity promotion.

As far as the Gilbert hit, AEL and CamRoussel said clean. I rewatched it, and his elbow is tucked, but that still seems to be the point of contact. He didn't leave his skates. The other player lowers his head to watch the puck and get moving, but runs into a brick wall. It was big, not dirty, and unintentionally high, I think.

It would be easy to say that some people thought this team was playoff capable. Part if this thinking might have been based upon core players bouncing back. Toews and Seabrook in particular. Perhaps someone even figured a fresher Keith is better, since he would pay less on PP and pk. Well some plastering around the
rough edges brought in Kunitz and Manning.

Those two were on the cheap. They were cheap because why pay for something better if you aren"t going to playoffs. Or so I figured.

Apparently BOWMAN thought oherwise.
Apparently someone thought Gus could be a realweapon in a fuve man group. Hasn't worked out. Perhaps in a better team and he decides to play defense with a much better effort.

Ironiclywith Murphy due back is the team really any better. Eventually he will change address because speed wins out, it will continue trending and we have prosoects galore whom all skate better than Murphy. Ho ho ho

I day the real problem is that some core veterans do not provide proper effort all the time.

Ifind it ironic about Toews in particular last game. I could use some input here,so stay with me and see if you can add. If you were at the game or even saw the telecast you can input better than myself. I merely heard alarming comments on the radio broadcast.

You see before this team is good again both Toews and Seabrook must be gone. They take up too much cap space per their slot on the line or pairing.

Anyway Tiews was named third star if the game. Yet I clearly heard Wideman say on two occasions that Tiews made the obvious wrong decision with puck distribution.

Once he waited to find Saad breaking and nothing materialized. Toews should have attacked the net, Wideman explained.

Toews is just not good enough. He is maybe afrwuate as a #2 or #3. Mahyn who had been on his line at times ought to have e a couple more goals

Interesting isn’t it that more and more people are okay with trading a core player. 2 seasons of painful hockey will do that to you. One of the things I was thinking before Justin / Ty penned this blog was that if they make it clear the era is over and make it painful enough people will complain less about the really big changes you make, including trading or buying out (new opportunities in the next CBA) beloved players from the cup runs.

Thanks JL for your insight. Just wondering why no one is focusing on the REAL problem Child? Forget Stanley for a moment, Scotty is the one that needs to go. He is Bob Pulford II. Would Barry Smith be here if Scotty wasn't here?

Forsling>Gus IMO. But we don’t have to move either of them. Neither have many NHL games and each is skilled in some areas.

One thing the Hawks need besides homegrown talent is actual NHL level talent. Our overseas signings have been ok but not always good.

Panarin was great
Tikonov sucked
Kahun is solid
Rutta sucks
Kampf is ok

It wouldn’t hurt to sign a guy who has experienced SUCCESS in the league. Manning Kunitz Ward are meh, look at Jason Botteril and pick up some real NHL bodies.
- ObeseOprah

Gus does not belong in the NHL. A D-Man who cannot play D is a huge liability, especially when you add that he is a high risk player. He affects the whole team, every time he is on the ice. I wish he did check all the boxes but he simply does not and you can’t just ignore his weaknesses. So not only does he slot below Forsling he slots below everyone.

Forsling could actually be a special player. He is not the complete package yet but he shows you glimpses. He shows you glimpses across the spectrum on D and O. Can skate, will engage physically, has true skill.

Rutta remains a question mark. However, there are times you see him actually ride off a forward ,taking the puck, that makes you think he might put it together. Has size and skill. At some point a call must be made concerning Rutta - either intensely help with his development or let him develop somewhere else.

JC seems to really respect Kampf as a player. Don’t know that Kampf deserves this level of respect, at the NHL level, but let’s see it play out. At some point with players like Kampf it is not just about what they are doing, it is about who they are blocking.

1-Full buy in from the the owners that this team is in rebuild mode
2-Replacing Bowman and hire a capable GM
3-Moving on from the some of the core and shedding major salary
4-Replacing Q (done but Colliton is not the long term answer)

Putting out the same product and expecting the different result is delusional.

We went from early exits, to missing the playoffs, to last place in the division and now well on our way to last place in the league...hello!!! McFly, Hello!!!

Interesting isn’t that more and more people are okay with trading a core player. 2 seasons of painful hockey will do that to you. One of the things I was thinking before Justin / Ty penned this blog was that if they make it clear the era is over and make it painful enough people will complain less about the really big changes you make, including trading or buying out (new opportunities in the next CBA) beloved players from the cup runs.- Marlowe

Agreed. This is where McD/Stan really failed in the Colliton press conference. While I understand that they couldn’t come out and say “hello everyone, we’re now tanking!” they could have at least offered a more honest assessment of the situation and the expectations for the future. What they did in affirming that this is still a playoff team is diminish their credibility and alienate themselves from the fans (you know, those people who buy tickets).

This team was embarrassed by Nashville two years ago, and then failed to make the playoffs a year later. Given how this season is trending - we all know by now what needs to happen - and no it’s not “remodeling” to achieve “rewinning” - whatever the hell that means.

so now that Q is gone and things have not changed . Why does Bowman still have a job . It is clearly lack of talent . Overpriced salaries that cant be moved . Losing every trade he makes . This is clearly the responsibility of the GM . Its time .

Justin this was a great piece you wrote , and how you summed everything up with a bow neatly.

We all as fans agree that this team is awful and until Rocky grows a pair and removes the 2 headed monster, nothing will change and the chemistry and culture along with the brand, team and fan base will suffer.

It's clear they have lost a significant amount of fans by all the empty seats at the UC. If that doesn't convince Rocky that people are no longer interested and very dissatisfied with the team.

Stan told a reporter he is going all in on PANARIN this summer , I think it was more of a PR speech then any actual plan. If you look over the past 2 off seasons at minimal Stan makes bold statements yet his signings are low hanging fruit of bottom feeders followed up with statements we tried things didn't work out the way we hoped and we chose a different route and this was a great signing.

The hawks need a number 1 center and 2 proven top 6 wingers , if Stan can move out Keith and Seabrook along with Gus and manning , as well as anisomov that will allow them to not only be able to resign guys like Perlini and d cat but to bring up at least 4 young faster promising defenseman and improve this teams, speed , skill and chemistry and compete,

Until then this team will bleed fans, revenue and losses.- Taylorst1

They don't have "4 faster, younger, promising defenseman" in the system who are ready to play at the NHL level. Gus is playing in the NHL instead of whomever is playing in the AHL because at this point he is better than them. Think about what that says about what is available before you go moving out Keith and Seabrook.

Yeah, Seabrook is a shell of his former self and his cap hit is atrocious, but he is still better than anyone in Rockford right now.

So next year maybe Boqvist steps up and plays in the NHL (anad make no mistake there will be growing pains with him defensively). Who else is ready.

Justin this was a great piece you wrote , and how you summed everything up with a bow neatly.

We all as fans agree that this team is awful and until Rocky grows a pair and removes the 2 headed monster, nothing will change and the chemistry and culture along with the brand, team and fan base will suffer.

It's clear they have lost a significant amount of fans by all the empty seats at the UC. If that doesn't convince Rocky that people are no longer interested and very dissatisfied with the team.

Stan told a reporter he is going all in on PANARIN this summer , I think it was more of a PR speech then any actual plan. If you look over the past 2 off seasons at minimal Stan makes bold statements yet his signings are low hanging fruit of bottom feeders followed up with statements we tried things didn't work out the way we hoped and we chose a different route and this was a great signing.

The hawks need a number 1 center and 2 proven top 6 wingers , if Stan can move out Keith and Seabrook along with Gus and manning , as well as anisomov that will allow them to not only be able to resign guys like Perlini and d cat but to bring up at least 4 young faster promising defenseman and improve this teams, speed , skill and chemistry and compete,

Until then this team will bleed fans, revenue and losses.- Taylorst1

Very telling to me that lately one of the empty seats in the bowl is Rocky’s. Haven’t seen him at the back of 119 in quite a while...

powerenforcer - tried to “quote” you. Isn’t working. I am really getting sick of the Hawks’ lies at this point. For me the truth is what the truth is - just give it to me. Telling me Scotty plays no role when Barry Smith, one of his minions is suddenly an Assistant Coach? Give me a break. Same guy Scotty tried to stuff down Q’s throat with PP advice. Smith is a PP guru apparently although the stats from the NHL seem to say the opposite.

Also Front Office Ghoul Granato is the best the hockey world can offer the Hawks? I hated that he was a vulture at Q’s shoulder and I can’t stand that he is now an Assistant Coach.

In the recent past there have been successes and disappointments but never was there just embarrassment.

Justin this was a great piece you wrote , and how you summed everything up with a bow neatly.

We all as fans agree that this team is awful and until Rocky grows a pair and removes the 2 headed monster, nothing will change and the chemistry and culture along with the brand, team and fan base will suffer.

It's clear they have lost a significant amount of fans by all the empty seats at the UC. If that doesn't convince Rocky that people are no longer interested and very dissatisfied with the team.

Stan told a reporter he is going all in on PANARIN this summer , I think it was more of a PR speech then any actual plan. If you look over the past 2 off seasons at minimal Stan makes bold statements yet his signings are low hanging fruit of bottom feeders followed up with statements we tried things didn't work out the way we hoped and we chose a different route and this was a great signing.

The hawks need a number 1 center and 2 proven top 6 wingers , if Stan can move out Keith and Seabrook along with Gus and manning , as well as anisomov that will allow them to not only be able to resign guys like Perlini and d cat but to bring up at least 4 young faster promising defenseman and improve this teams, speed , skill and chemistry and compete,

Until then this team will bleed fans, revenue and losses.- Taylorst1

If Stan told a reporter he was going after Panarin - wouldn’t that be against league rules about interfering with another team’s contracted player?

so now that Q is gone and things have not changed . Why does Bowman still have a job . It is clearly lack of talent . Overpriced salaries that cant be moved . Losing every trade he makes . This is clearly the responsibility of the GM . Its time .- hawk66

While not defending his trade record, people see Schmaltz score a couple goals right after he goes to AZ and all of a sudden SB lost the trade. I'm not so sure about that. Schmaltz is a guy who would be useless in a playoff series. The thing I have a problem with is a lot of the hawks picks that actually make the team are twinkle toes type players. The hawks don't win battles and they get beaten to the puck way too often. And they haven't made a habit of clearing their slot or going to the opposition slot in a way long time. They always mention secondary scoring, but I'd like to see more grit to go with a few secondary goals. In my opinion I think the secondary grit guys make it easier for the rest of them. Bowman isn't the only one responsible for who they draft. So I think those other guys should take a little heat too.

They don't have "4 faster, younger, promising defenseman" in the system who are ready to play at the NHL level. Gus is playing in the NHL instead of whomever is playing in the AHL because at this point he is better than them. Think about what that says about what is available before you go moving out Keith and Seabrook.

Yeah, Seabrook is a shell of his former self and his cap hit is atrocious, but he is still better than anyone in Rockford right now.

So next year maybe Boqvist steps up and plays in the NHL (anad make no mistake there will be growing pains with him defensively). Who else is ready.- TheTrob

Mitchell. Maybe. Beaudin? D take longer to develop but Boqvist, Beaudin, and Mitchell are promising. On the F side, especially at C, the cupboard seems a bit bare. Realistically if they draft high this year and make some good trades, seems to me we are at best 2 years out from being good again. Don’t have faith in Stan and the powers that be to get us there right now tho.

powerenforcer - tried to “quote” you. Isn’t working. I am really getting sick of the Hawks’ lies at this point. For me the truth is what the truth is - just give it to me. Telling me Scotty plays no role when Barry Smith, one of his minions is suddenly an Assistant Coach? Give me a break. Same guy Scotty tried to stuff down Q’s throat with PP advice. Smith is a PP guru apparently although the stats from the NHL seem to say the opposite.

Also Front Office Ghoul Granato is the best the hockey world can offer the Hawks? I hated that he was a vulture at Q’s shoulder and I can’t stand that he is now an Assistant Coach.

In the recent past there have been successes and disappointments but never was there just embarrassment.- Z3Hawk